AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has delivered Christmas gifts to most Republicans in the Legislature. But his goal apparently wasn’t to spread holiday cheer.

WMTW-TV reports that the Republican governor sent copies of an illustrated book, “If You’re Riding a Horse and It Dies, Get Off.” The author describes it as a “humorous allegory about education, well-intentioned people with unrealistic ideas, and a dead horse.”

Some lawmakers are interpreting the gift as a not-so-subtle message to Republican legislators who’ve questioned his leadership.

WMTW-TV says LePage didn’t send copies of the book to Senate President Mike Thibodeau, Sen. Roger Katz, or Sen. Tom Saviello, all of whom have criticized the governor on various policy matters during the past legislative session.

LePage’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.